The evolving role of endovascular therapy in the management of arterial thoracic outlet syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Over the past two decades, vascular surgeons have successfully incorporated endovascular techniques to the routine care of patients with arterial thoracic outlet syndrome (ATOS). However, no reports have documented the impact of endovascular therapy. This study describes the trends in management of ATOS by vascular surgeons and outcomes after both endovascular and open repair of the subclavian artery. METHODS: We queried a single-institution, prospectively maintained thoracic outlet syndrome database for ATOS cases managed by vascular surgeons. For comparison, cases were divided into two equal time periods, January 1986 to August 2003 (P-1) vs September 2003 to March 2021 (P-2), and by treatment modality, open vs endovascular. Clinical presentation, outcomes, and the involvement of vascular surgeons in endovascular therapy were compared between groups. RESULTS: Of 2200 thoracic outlet syndrome cases, 51 were ATOS (27 P-1, 24 P-2) and underwent 50 transaxillary decompressive operations. Forty-eight cases (92%) presented with ischemic symptoms. Thrombolysis was done in 15 (29%). During P-1, vascular surgeons performed none of the catheter-based interventions. During P-2, vascular surgeons performed 60% of the angiograms, 50% of thrombolysis, and 100% of stent grafting. Subclavian artery pathology included 16 aneurysms (31%), 15 stenoses (29%), and 19 occlusions (37%). Compared with open aneurysmal repair, endovascular stent graft repairs took less time (241 vs 330 minutes; P = .09), incurred lower estimated blood loss (103 vs 150 mL; P = .36), and had a shorter length of stay (2.4 vs 5.0 days; P = .10). Yet the endovascular group had decreased primary (63% vs 77%; P = .481), primary assisted (75% vs 85%; P = .590), and secondary patency rates (88% vs 92%; P = .719), at a mean follow-up time of 3.0 years for the endovascular group and 6.9 years for the open group (P = .324). These differences did not achieve statistical significance. Functionally, 84% of patients were able to resume work or school. A majority of patients (88%) had a good to excellent functional outcome based on their Derkash score. Somatic pain scores and QuickDASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand) scores decreased postoperatively, 2.9 vs 0.8 (P = .015) and 42.6 vs 12.6 (P = .004), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the evolving role of endovascular management of ATOS over the past two decades and documents the expanded role of vascular surgeons in the endovascular management of ATOS at a single institution. Compared with open repair, stent graft repair of the subclavian artery may be associated with shorter operative times, less blood loss, but decreased patency, without changes in long-term functional outcomes.

Analysis of Traumatic Axillo-Subclavian Vessel Injuries: Endovascular Management is a Viable Option to Open Surgical Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: In traumatic axillo-subclavian vessel injuries, endovascular repair has been increasingly described, despite ongoing questions regarding infection risk and long-term durability. We sought to compare the clinical and safety outcomes between endovascular and surgical treatment of traumatic axillo-subclavian vessel injuries. METHOD: A search query of the prospectively maintained PROOVIT registry for patients older than 18 years of age with a diagnosis of axillary or subclavian vessel injury between 2014-2019 was performed at a Level 1 Trauma Center. Patient demographics, severity of injury, Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), procedural interventions, complications, and patency outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with traumatic axillo-subclavian vessel injuries were included. There were similar rates of penetrating and blunt injuries (48% vs. 52%, respectively). Eighteen patients (78%) underwent intervention: 11 underwent endovascular stenting or diagnostic angiography; 7 underwent open surgical repair. There was similar severity of arterial injuries between the endovascular and open surgical groups: transection (30% vs. 40%, respectively), occlusion (30% vs. 40%, respectively). The open surgical group had worse initial clinical comorbidities: higher ISS scores (17.0 vs 13.5, p = 0.034), higher median MESS scores (6 vs. 3.5, P = 0.001). The technical success for the endovascular group was 100%. The endovascular group had a lower estimated procedural blood loss (27.5 mL vs. 624 mL, P = 0.03). The endovascular arterial group trended toward a shorter length of hospital stay (5.6 days vs. 27.6 days, P = 0.09) and slightly reduced procedural time (191.0 min vs. 223.5 min, P = 0.165). Regarding imaging follow up (average of 60 days post-discharge), 7 patients (54%) underwent surveillance imaging (5 with duplex ultrasound, 2 with computed tomography angiography CTA) that demonstrated 100% patency. Regardless of ISS or MESS scores, at long term clinical follow up (average of 214 days), there were no limb losses, graft infections or vascular complications in either the endovascular or open surgical group. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment is a viable option for axillo-subclavian vessel injuries. Preliminary results demonstrate that endovascular treatment, when compared to open surgical repair, can have similar rates of technical success and long-term outcomes in patency, infection and vascular complications.

Endovascular management of subclavian-steal syndrome in a patient with post-traumatic dissection of an aberrant right subclavian artery.

BACKGROUND: An aberrant right subclavian artery is the most common congenital anomaly of the aortic arch and may cause symptoms due to aneurysmal dilatation, stenosis or occlusion. We present a case of subclavian-steal syndrome due to post-traumatic dissection of an aberrant right subclavian artery. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 50 year-old man presented with dizziness and fainting episodes after exercising his right arm and a systolic blood pressure gradient of 40 mm Hg between the 2 arms. Suspecting a subclavian steal syndrome, a computed tomography angiography was requested which revealed an aberrant right subclavian artery with a severe stenosis proximal to the ostium of the vertebral artery. Transfemoral digital subtraction angiography showed a local dissection of the aberrant right subclavian artery with late retrograde filling of the ipsilateral vertebral artery. The lesion was successfully treated with primary stent implantation (9 mm x 40 mm, LIFESTAR, BARD). On interrogation, the patient recalled an injury to the right arm after falling off a ladder 10 years earlier, as a possible post-traumatic cause for the dissection. He had an uneventful outcome and is symptom-free 12 months down the line. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of post-traumatic dissection of an aberrant right subclavian artery resulting to subclavian steal syndrome is an extremely rare scenario. Endovascular management is a safe, minimally invasive alternative to open surgery.

Endovascular Stent Graft Repair for True and Post-Traumatic False Aneurysms of the Subclavian Artery.

OBJECTIVE: Subclavian artery aneurysms (SAAs) are uncommon but life-threatening, and a standard treatment approach has yet to be established. The current study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment for SAAs. METHODS: The clinical data of 18 SAA patients who underwent endovascular repair at 3 hospitals from January 2009 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (12 men and 6 women) with a mean age of 61 years were included. Six patients (33.3%) had a history of hypertension, and 5 (27.8%) had a history of chest trauma. Five patients (27.8%) were asymptomatic. Thirteen (72.2%) SAAs were true aneurysms, and the others (27.8%) were posttraumatic false aneurysms. Endovascular stent graft repair was performed in all patients without conversion to open surgery. The immediate technique success rate was 94.4%, with no postoperative death and only one case (5.6%) of endoleak that was observed on intraoperative angiography and later resolved spontaneously. All patients survived over a median follow-up time of 57 months. Follow-up imaging showed that all stent grafts remained patent, with no endoleak. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent graft repair is feasible, safe, and effective for true and posttraumatic false SAAs and represents a promising treatment option for these SAAs.

Unmasking the Coronary-Subclavian Steal Syndrome: The Culprit Lies in the Subclavian Artery. A Report of a Case and Review of the Literature.

The coronary-subclavian steal syndrome is a hemodynamic phenomenon in which a subclavian artery stenosis or occlusion impairs blood flow at the origin of the left internal mammary artery used for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), causing retrograde blood flow and thus provoking symptoms of cardiac ischemia and its complications. Once considered the gold-standard operation of choice, open revascularization has now been abandoned as a first line treatment and replaced by endovascular techniques. In all cases, detailed and oriented physical examination in combination with further imaging in high clinical suspicion for coronary-subclavian steal syndrome remains the sine qua non of the preoperative examination of the patient. We report the case of a 50-year-old male patient suffering from acute onset angina post- coronary artery bypass grafting and managed by endovascular means.

Endovascular Aortic Repair With Castor Single-Branched Stent-Graft in Treatment of Acute Type B Aortic Syndrome and Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery.

OBJECTIVE: In this retrospective study, we presented the results of Castor single-branched stent-graft in a small series of patients with acute type B aortic syndrome and aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA). METHODS: Between January 2019 and November 2019, 5 patients were diagnosed with acute type B aortic syndrome and ARSA (4 patients with intramural hematoma and ARSA, 1 patient with type B aortic dissection and ARSA). All the patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) using Castor single-branched stent-graft. In-hospital and 3-month outcomes were collected. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 116 ± 20.43 minutes (range 90-145). All the TEVAR procedures were successfully performed without conversion to open surgery (100% success rate). All the ARSAs of the 5 patients were revascularized in situ by Castor single-branched stent-grafts. No deaths and complications were observed in the 3-month follow-up. The maximal diameters of diseased aortas in the 4 patients with IMH decreased 3 months after TEVAR. The false lumen in the graft-covered segment was completely thrombosed in the patient with type B aortic dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Castor single-branched stent-graft may be a good choice in treatment of acute type B aortic syndrome and aberrant right subclavian artery.

Evaluation of Aortic Zone 2 Proximal Landing Accuracy During Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Following Carotid-Subclavian Revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Adequate seal for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) commonly requires landing in zone 2, but can prove to be challenging due to the tortuous and angulated anatomy of the region. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine the proximal landing accuracy of zone 2-targeted TEVARs following carotid-subclavian revascularization (CSR) and its impact on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients that underwent CSR for zone 2 endograft delivery at a tertiary institute between January 2008 and March 2018 was conducted. Technical outcomes were assessed by examining the incidence of intraoperative corrective maneuvers, 1a endoleaks and reinterventions. Distance to target and incidence of LSA stump filling were examined as radiographic markers of landing accuracy. RESULTS: Zone 2-targeted TEVAR with CSR was performed in 53 patients for treatment of dissections (49%), aneurysms (30%) or trauma (21%). Nine (17%) cases required intraoperative corrective procedures: 5 (9%) proximal cuffs due to type 1a endoleak and 4 (8%) left common carotid artery (LCCA) stenting due to inadvertent coverage. Cases performed using higher resolution hybrid fluoroscopy machine compared to mobile C-arm were associated with increased proximal cuff use (OR 8.8; 95% CI 1.2-62.4). Average distance between the proximal edge of the covered graft to LCCA was 8 ± 1 mm and larger distances were not associated with higher rates of 1a endoleak. Twenty-eight (53%) cases of antegrade LSA stump filling were noted on follow-up imaging, but were not associated with higher rates of reinterventions (OR 0.8, 95% CI [0.2-4.6]). Three (6%) patients had a stroke within 30 days and 4 (8%) patients expired within 1 month. Intraoperative corrective maneuvers, post-operative 1a endoleak and reinterventions were not associated with higher rates of stroke or mortality. CONCLUSION: Using current endografts and imaging modalities, zone 2-targeted TEVARs have suboptimal technical accuracy.

Safety and durability of concomitant carotid endarterectomy with carotid-subclavian bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant carotid endarterectomy (CEA; for severe internal carotid artery stenosis) with carotid-subclavian bypass grafting (CSBG; for proximal common carotid artery or subclavian artery occlusion) is rarely used. Only a few studies have been reported. This report analyzed early and late clinical outcomes of the largest study to date of the combined procedures in our institution. METHODS: Electronic medical records of patients who had concomitant CEA with CSBG during three decades were analyzed. Indications for surgery were arm ischemia, neurologic events, and clinical subclavian steal. Early (30 days) perioperative complications (stroke, death, and others) and late complications (stroke, death) were recorded. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate late graft/CEA primary patency, freedom from stroke, and stroke-free survival rates. Graft patency was determined clinically and confirmed using duplex ultrasound. Outcomes were compared with previously published data on isolated CSBG by the same group. RESULTS: There were 37 combined procedures analyzed. Mean age was 64 years (range, 45-81 years). Indications for surgery were arm ischemia in 12 (32%), hemispheric transient ischemic attack or stroke in 15 (41%), vertebrobasilar insufficiency in 4 (11%), symptomatic subclavian steal in 10 (27%), and asymptomatic common carotid artery occlusion with severe internal carotid artery stenosis in 6 (16%). The 30-day perioperative (stroke and death) rate was 5.4% (one stroke and one death). Immediate symptom relief was noted in 100%, with 2.7% (transient ischemic attack) symptom recurrence. The crude patency rate of both CEA and CSBG was 92%. At 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, and 5 years, respectively, primary patency rates were 100%, 96%, 96%, 96%, and 85%; freedom from stroke rates were 97%, 97%, 97%, 97%, and 97%; and stroke-free survival rates were 94%, 94%, 87%, 82%, and 78%. When these outcomes were compared with the isolated CSBG group alone (28 patients), there was no difference in perioperative stroke (2.7% for concomitant CEA/CSBG vs 0% for isolated CSBG), perioperative death (2.7% vs 2.8%), or late patency rates (92% vs 96%). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant CEA/CSBG is safe and durable. There was no significant difference in perioperative stroke/death or late patency rates compared with isolated CSBG.

Periscope sandwich stenting as an alternative to open cervical revascularization of left subclavian artery during zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: Revascularization of the left subclavian artery (LSA) during zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) maintains collateral circulation to decrease ischemic complications, including stroke, spinal cord ischemia, and upper extremity ischemia. Both open surgical and endovascular LSA revascularization techniques have been described, each with unique risks and benefits. We describe our "periscope sandwich" technique for the LSA during zone 2 TEVAR, which maintains antegrade access to the distal abdominal aorta if subsequent interventions are necessary. Technical results and short-term outcomes are compared with LSA open surgical debranching. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review was performed for patients requiring zone 2 TEVAR with LSA revascularization by periscope sandwich technique or open surgical debranching with subclavian to carotid transposition (SCT) or carotid-subclavian bypass (CSB). The presenting aortic disease and perioperative details were recorded. Intraoperative angiography and postoperative computed tomography images were reviewed for occurrence of endoleak and branch patency. RESULTS: Between January 2013 and December 2018, the LSA was revascularized by periscope sandwich in 18 patients, SCT in 22 patients, and CSB in 13 patients. Compared with open surgical debranching, periscope sandwich had a lower median estimated blood loss (100 mL vs 200 mL for pooled SCT and CSB; P = .03) and lower median case duration (133.5 minutes vs 226 minutes; P < .001). Contrast material volume (120 mL vs 120 mL; P = .98) and fluoroscopy time (13.1 minutes vs 13.3 minutes; P = .92) did not differ significantly between the groups. There was no difference in aorta-related mortality (P = .14), and LSA patency was 100%. Median follow-up for the periscope sandwich group was 11 months, with an overall estimated 91% freedom from gutter leak at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: LSA periscope sandwich technique provides safe and effective LSA revascularization during zone 2 TEVAR. LSA periscope sandwich can be used emergently with off-the-shelf endovascular components and facilitates future branched-fenestrated endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic diseases.

Long-term Outcome of Axillo-axillary Bypass in Patients with Subclavian or Innominate Artery Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Subclavian or innominate artery stenosis (SAS) may cause upper extremity and cerebral ischemia. In patients with symptomatic subclavian or innominate artery stenosis, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is the treatment of first choice. When percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is technically restricted or unsuccessful, an extrathoracic bypass grafting, such as an axillo-axillary bypass can be considered. The patency rate of axillo-axillary bypass is often questioned. The aim of this study was to assess long-term outcomes of patients undergoing axillo-axillary bypass for subclavian or innominate artery stenosis (SAS) and to provide a literature overview. METHODS: In this single-center study, data from patients who underwent axillo-axillary bypass for symptomatic SAS between 2002 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Bypass material was Dacron® (54%) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (46%). Primary outcome was graft patency and secondary outcome was the occurrence of mortality and stroke. In addition, a systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases including all studies describing patency of axillo-axillary bypass. RESULTS: In total, 28 axillo-axillary bypasses had been performed. Cumulative primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates at one year were 89%, 93%, and 96%, respectively. Cumulative primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates at five years were 76%, 84%, and 87%, respectively. The primary-assisted patency rates at five years for Dacron® and PTFE were 93% and 73%, respectively. A total of four primary axillo-axillary bypass occlusions occurred (14%), with a mean of 12 months (range, 0.4-25) after operation. The 30-day mortality was 7%; one patient died after a stroke and one died of a myocardial infarction. At the first postoperative follow-up control, 22 of the 26 remaining patients (85%) had relief of symptoms. The literature search included 7 studies and described a one-year primary patency range of 93-100% (n = 137) and early postoperative adverse events included death (range, 0-13%) and stroke (range, 0-5%). CONCLUSIONS: Patency rates of axillo-axillary bypasses for patients with a symptomatic SAS are good. However, the procedural complication rate in this series is high and attention should be paid to intervention indication.

Carotid-Axillary Bypass as an Alternative to Carotid-Subclavian Bypass Following Coverage of Left Subclavian Artery During TEVAR.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) has become the procedure of choice for pathology involving the descending thoracic aorta since its approval by the FDA in 2005. Left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage is commonly required to facilitate an adequate proximal landing zone for the endograft. The traditional revascularization procedure of choice is carotid-subclavian bypass, however recent studies report complication rates as high as 29%-specifically phrenic nerve palsy in 25% of patients undergoing this procedure. Our aim is to present our experience using carotid-axillary bypass as a safe alternative to carotid-subclavian bypass. METHODS: All patients undergoing carotid-axillary bypass for TEVAR with LSA coverage between June 2016 and September 2019 at a tertiary medical center were retrospectively identified. Short-term and long-term complications were identified and analyzed including: phrenic nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve, and axillary nerve injuries, as well as local vascular complications requiring re-intervention. All perioperative chest radiographs were reviewed for new hemidiaphragm elevation to assess for phrenic nerve injuries. RESULTS: 35 patients underwent carotid-axillary bypass in conjunction with TEVAR during this time period. The majority of bypasses were performed concurrently with TEVAR (80.0%, 28/35) utilizing GORE PROPATEN 8 mm externally supported vascular graft (91.4%, 32/35). The complication rate specific to carotid-axillary bypass was 14.3% (5/35). We observed a significantly lower (0%, 0/35, P < 0.01) rate of phrenic nerve palsy for carotid-axillary bypass compared to the previously reported 25% (27/107) for carotid-subclavian bypass. For patients with available follow-up imaging (85.7%, 30/35), there was a 100% patency rate at time intervals ranging from 0-1066 days (IQR = 3-37.8). CONCLUSION: Carotid-axillary bypass can be performed as a safe alternative to carotid-subclavian bypass for LSA coverage during TEVAR involving a more superficial anatomic course of dissection. Phrenic nerve palsy, a well-described complication of the traditional carotid-subclavian bypass, was not observed in this retrospective series.

Long-term outcomes of endovascular treatment of isolated subclavian artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to review our institutional experience of endovascular treatment for isolated subclavian artery aneurysms and evaluate the long-term outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients with isolated subclavian artery aneurysms who underwent endovascular treatment between March 2008 and March 2020 was performed. The demographics, aneurysmal characteristics, treatment strategies, and in-hospital and follow-up outcomes were recorded and then analyzed. RESULTS: From March 2008 to March 2020, 35 isolated subclavian artery aneurysms were endovascularly treated at our institution. Atherosclerosis was the most common cause of aneurysms in this series. Most aneurysms were intrathoracic (91.4%) and located at the right side (77.1%). There were 26 true aneurysms, seven pseudoaneurysms, and two ruptured isolated subclavian artery aneurysms. Five types of endovascular strategies were performed. Covered stent placement across the aneurysm was the most (54.3%) commonly used method. Technical success was achieved in all patients. The median postoperative in-hospital stay was 4.0 days (range, 1-15 days). One patient died after discharge but within 30 days of surgery due to myocardial infarction. The median follow-up time was 62.0 months (range, 3-132 months). No death, stroke, stent fractures, or severe upper limb ischemia developed during the follow-up period. The cumulative survival rate at five years was 97.1%. The overall complication rate was 25.7% and one-third of complications (8.6%) required reinterventions. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment for isolated subclavian artery aneurysms is safe, effective and technically achievable in most patients. Short- and long-term outcomes are promising. Reasonable and flexible use of covered stents can also get satisfactory outcomes in some complicated lesions such as isolated subclavian artery aneurysms located at the origin of the right subclavian artery, avoiding the huge surgical trauma caused by conventional open repair.

Management of the Left Subclavian Artery in TEVAR for Chronic Type B Aortic Dissection.

OBJECTIVES: Left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularization in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) remains controversial. Left subclavian artery coverage without revascularization can cause stroke and death. TEVAR has gained popularity for the treatment of chronic type B aortic dissection (cTBD). Using the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) database, we reviewed outcomes of LSA revascularization in TEVAR for cTBD. METHODS: The VQI registry identified 5683 patients treated with TEVAR from July 2010 to July 2016, including 208 repairs for cTBD. We analyzed outcomes per the Society for Vascular Surgery reporting standards. RESULTS: Of the 208 patients, 150 (72.1%) were male with a median age of 65.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 55.0-72.0). Median aneurysm diameter was 5.7 cm (IQR, 5.0-6.5 cm). Data on the patency of the LSA was available in 131 (63.0%) patients. Twenty-five (19.1%) had occlusion of the LSA without revascularization, while 106 (80.9%) maintained patency or had revascularization. Successful device delivery occurred in all 131 (100%) patients. Maintaining LSA patency did not affect the rate of cerebrovascular accident (P = .16), spinal cord ischemia (P = 1.00), or death (P = 1.00). This was also nonsignificant when analyzing the subgroup of 98 elective cases. There was no difference in the rates of endoleak. Any intervention for the LSA (revascularization or occlusion) led to a longer procedure time (203.6 minutes vs 163.7 minutes, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining LSA patency during TEVAR for cTBD offers no advantage in perioperative morbidity or endoleak. Occlusion of LSA may be performed safely in this cohort and revascularization reserved for those who have anatomy that compromises perfusion to critical organs.

Total Endovascular Repair of a Juxta-vertebral Subclavian Artery Pseudoaneurysm and Flow Preservation of a Dominant Vertebral Artery Using Parallel Stent Grafts.

The endovascular repair of subclavian aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms is now widely adopted. However, controversies still prevail in the management of dominant vertebral arteries originating close to aneurysms, as coverage of the vertebral artery might be complicated by either endoleaks or ischemic events. Here, we present a rare case of multiple aneurysmal lesions involving the right subclavian artery and bilateral internal carotid arteries treated by way of a total endovascular method using parallel stent grafts for the simultaneous exclusion of a subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm and flow preservation of the adjacent vertebral artery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the use of this technique for the endovascular repair of juxta-vertebral subclavian artery pseudoaneurysms.

Mind the gap: A novel endovascular technique to repair a transected vessel.

Level one trauma centers experience horrific injuries on a regular basis. Blunt or penetrating trauma causing vascular injuries are treated by surgeons and interventional radiologists. When a blood vessel is completely transected, the ends of the vessel retract and vasospasm occurs as a normal survival response. When this phenomenon occurs, it is sometimes impossible to reattach the two ends of the injured vessel by surgical means and a bypass graft is often required. However, from an endovascular perspective, covered stents can serve as a vascular bypass as well. The limiting factor with an endovascular approach is the ability to successfully gain wire access across the injured vessel. The technique described in this manuscript describes a "rendezvous" method of repairing a transected axillosubclavian artery from a high-speed motorcycle accident using a steerable microcatheter. Initially, multiple failed attempts to cross the injured vessel were encountered despite using a wide variety of conventional guidewires and catheters. A steerable microcatheter was then used to safely and effectively navigate more than 15 cm through soft tissue to the opposite end of the vessel. In this critically ill patient, this technique significantly reduced the procedural time when compared to our previous experiences repairing arterial transections using traditional catheters.

Dysphagia Lusoria: Is the Dysmotility Connection Illusory or Real?

Dysphagia lusoria is rare embryologic defect of the aortic arch vasculature characterized by an aberrant retro-esophageal course of the right subclavian artery (RSA), comprising a vascular sling. This may manifest clinically with symptoms of dysphagia or reflux. Given the rarity of this pathology, there remains uncertainty regarding the most effective treatment algorithm. Vascular decompression procedure surgery is often used to rectify the aberrant vascular morphology. However, a low percentage of aberrant arteries result in trachea-esophageal symptoms. As such, we suggest (1) one must exclude co-morbid esophageal motility disorders in patients with dysphagia; and (2) aberrant RSA may be a cause of dysphagia, so-called dysphagia lusoria, but represents an unlikely mechanism, since this morphological arrangement typically does not result in a highly constrictive, circumferential vascular ring. It follows, therefore, that directly addressing the esophageal motility issue should take precedence over complex and potentially noncurative vascular procedures directed to the aberrant RSA. However, the presence of marked aneursymal dilation of the aberrant RSA, and/or the presence of a bicarotid (socalled bovine) trunk, would favor vascular repair in the clinical decision-making due to the elevated risk of rupture and more severe esophageal compression in these specific situations.

Symptomatic Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery: Advantages of a Less Invasive Surgical Approach.

We present the case of a 33-year-old woman with a non-aneurysmal, symptomatic aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) traveling posterior to the esophagus, as demonstrated on chest computed tomography (CT) scans. She was treated with a less invasive surgical approach: closure of the anomalous vessel close to its origin from the aortic arch, through a left thoracoscopic procedure, followed by right common carotid-subclavian artery transposition via an open right supraclavicular approach. This method avoids the postoperative morbidity associated with open thoracic surgery and allows a clear identification of the anatomic structures minimizing possible procedure-related complications as a long residual arterial stump.

Left Subclavian Artery Test Balloon Occlusion Before Covered Stent for Recoarctation and Aneurysm.

A 57-year-old man, with a history of coarctation patch repair at three years of age, presented with left ventricular dilatation and moderate to severe dysfunction. A computed tomographic angiogram of the chest revealed moderate residual stenosis of the distal arch and proximal descending aorta and a large aneurysm adjacent to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Due to high surgical risk, a hybrid approach was undertaken with temporary balloon occlusion of the left subclavian artery, followed by surgical left common carotid to left subclavian artery graft and percutaneous covered stent implantation to relieve the obstruction and exclude the aneurysm.